George Larose's Idea Still Shapes What Lehighton Youths Do In Summer

When George I. LaRose returned home from World War II, he had an idea that still shapes what Lehighton youngsters do on their summer vacations.

LaRose was injured in the war and he decided to do something good for the community. While in a hospital bed, he decided to start a midget league baseball program.

"If I ever got back home, I thought I'd like to do something nice for everybody to do all day," he said.

LaRose returned home, got the word out about the program, and recently threw out the first ball as the league opened its 40th season.

The league started during a time when youngsters were looking for something to do. Prospective players started arriving in bunches and officials soon found themselves with 35 teams and more than 500 players. Attendance has declined over the years, but players still approach the games with an attitude that promotes winning and good sportsmanship.

"I feel great about it. I can remember back 40 years when the first games started. We figured we would only have 10-12 teams. We didn't know how people would respond," LaRose said.

"I still can't believe it came together as easy as it did. Once it started everybody came to my rescue. I didn't think I would get that kind of response," he said.

One of the early league requirements called for each player on every team to get into a game. That rule is still enforced today. "Any kid who showed up had to play," LaRose said.

Henry Long played for Eckman Lumber Co. in the league's first season and led the loop with a .629 batting average. He now has grandchildren playing in the league and wants to become active again. "Hopefully, I'll be able to sponsor a team in the future," he said.

Long says formation of the league helped improve the quality of baseball in the Lehighton area. "It was a good program. We were all happy getting organized ball for the kids. We used to get together with the kids from other towns to pay informal games," he said.

The game has remained much the same over the years, but Long said today's players have more to work with. "The equipment's a lot better. We were thankful for a T-shirt and a hat. There's not a whole lot different, it's still a good game," he said.

John Eckman, who still sponsors a team, said he got involved with the program to give youngsters something to do. "We needed some type of program for the kids to get involved with and keep them off the streets," he said.

LaRose said organizers were overjoyed that players concentrated on the games. "We took pride in that none of our kids got in trouble," he said.

LaRose used his son, Loren, as an example. Loren played on several championship teams and used his spare time to participate in sports.

"When my son was in school, you never had to tell him when to go to bed. He played football and baseball around the clock and he was always tired and went to bed," LaRose said.

Six teams make up the league this year and games will be played through early August. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs and the two semifinal winners will meet in a three-game series to decide a champion, according to Terry Long, director of the Lehighton Recreation Commission, which runs the league.